Patriots 'biggest concern' for 2026 season could result in a weak defense

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks on field before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots made the Super Bowl in 2025 and upgraded their offense by adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in free agency.

The 2026 season should be another good one for the Patriots. But that doesn't mean there won't be some areas of the roster worth worrying about. Looking to the defensive side of the ball, there's one glaring issue.

ESPN's Mike Reiss pointed out as the Patriots' "biggest concern" for the 2026 NFL season as New England's pass rush production. More specifically, the Patriots' edge rusher group being as weak as it is could pose a problem.

Weak edge rusher group is Patriots' 'biggest concern' for 2026 season

"Biggest concern: Pass rush. Will moving on from K'Lavon Chaisson (team-high 7.5 sacks last season) and signing Dre'Mont Jones to take his place at OLB be an upgrade?" Reiss questioned.

That is just one piece of the puzzle for the Patriots' edge-rusher problem. Chaisson was good for the Patriots last season, and now Jones is a bit of an unknown. While he's been good, he might not provide the same production Chaisson did a year ago.

But that swap is hardly all that's wrong with the edge rusher group. Harold Landry III is starting the year on the PUP list, which resulted in the following question from Reiss: "Is 2025 undrafted free agent Elijah Ponder ready to fill the void?"

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Ponder might be a fun young player, but relying on him as a key part of the edge rusher group might end up being a mistake.

The same goes for rookie edge Gabe Jacas, who started late for the Patriots after a knee procedure and a contract holdout led to Jacas missing a lot of time this spring and summer.

Outside of Jacas, Ponder, and Jones, the Patriots will have Quintayvious Hutchins to see some real work as part of this defense early in the season.

Beginning with their Wednesday opening game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Patriots and Mike Vrabel will need this questionable edge-rusher room to get off to a strong start; otherwise, the Patriots might have no choice but to trade for a new edge this year.

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